Christine A. “Chris” Smith
Christine A. “Chris” Smith, 72, of Winamac, passed away on Monday, Jan. 11, at University of Illinois Hospital in Chicago.
She was born on Sept. 14, 1948, in Logansport, to the late Dan and Bonnie (Brady) Rausch. Chris was married to Robert E. “Bob” Smith for 50 years. They enjoyed working, volunteering and traveling together.
Chris was an active member of the Pulaski County community. She was a valued member of the Pulaski County 4-H Fair Board, Pulaski County Historical Society and Pulaski Animal Center. She was an avid supporter of the Alicia Marie Smidler Animal Rescue Fund. Chris founded the Northern Indiana Power From the Past organization and was instrumental in the creation of the annual power show. There was always a positive project Chris was working on or a local group she was volunteering with. In 2004, Chris was awarded the prestigious Dr. H.J. Halleck Community Service Award.
Together, Chris and Bob owned and operated Smith Motors and Smith Auctions in Winamac for 50 years. She enjoyed working with Bob and serving their customers. For many years, Chris worked alongside her mom and siblings at Bonnie’s Punkins in Winamac creating lifelong memories for local families during the fall season.
Chris enjoyed the outdoors, especially foraging for mushrooms and berries. She also enjoyed vegetable and flower gardening as well as canning. She was a talented cook and baker. Chris was kind, hardworking, creative and thrifty. It goes without saying, she was a woman of many talents.
Family always came first in Chris’ life. There was no such thing as a small get together; everyone was always invited. Her nieces and nephews were very important to her. Her black labs (all dogs really) always held a special place in her heart, too.
Chris was a loving wife, mom, grandma, great-grandma, sister, aunt and friend. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.
She is survived by her husband Robert E. “Bob” Smith of Winamac; daughter Rita [Thomas] Thurman of Kansas City, Missouri; grandchildren: Kelly, Anya and Serenity; great-granddaughter Raven; sisters: Judy [Butch] Fitz of Winamac, and Jeannie Neff of Winamac; brothers: Tony Rausch of Winamac, and Barney [Patti-Jo] Rausch of Winamac; sister-in-law Evelyn Cramer of Ripley; many nieces and nephews; and numerous cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents Dan and Bonnie (Brady) Rausch; and brother Mark Rausch.
No services will be held at this time. The family will celebrate Chris’ life after COVID-19 ends.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Boy Scouts of America Troop #229 or Northern Indiana Power From the Past. Memorial contributions may be directed to Smith Motors 435 N. Northwest St. Winamac, IN 46996.
Please feel free to share happy memories with the family at www.frainmortuary.com.
(Pulaski County Journal — Jan. 20, 2021)